Position:Relief Support Worker – Mental Health & Disability Service

Status:Casual

Hours:up to 24 hours per week Monday to Friday

Responsible to:The Co-ordinator of the Mental Health and Disability Service

Classification:Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award –Home Care Worker Level 3.1

Salary:$26.62 per hour plus Superannuation

Location:Brisbane North

ORGANISATIONAL PROFILE

Communify Queensland is a multi-service organisation that provides a range of programs and activities for families and individuals in the community to enhance their quality of life. Our primary concern is the welfare and wellbeing of socially, physically, intellectually and emotionally disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our community.

We currently provide Aged and Disability Services, Day Respite, Childcare, Community Development, Community Education, Emergency Relief, Family and Individual Support, Home Assist Secure, Homelessness Intervention, Mental Health Services, Primary Health Network Services, Neighbourhood Centres, Partners in Recovery, Personal helpers and Mentors, Social & Multicultural Support and Venue Hire.

SERVICE PROFILE

The Mental Health and Disability Service provides recovery oriented support services to people with mental health issues or disabilities who live independently within the community. The program supports participants and their progress towards recovery and individually focused goals. It has a primary focus on encouraging good physical health, wellness, and improving the quality of life of clients within an open and flexible service framework. Individual and group activities include social skills, living skills, decision making, problem solving, and recreation are offered to clients.

Self-determination is paramount with services supporting personal empowerment and the development of trusting partnerships.

The service is funded by the QLD Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Service through the Queensland Community Care Services to deliver Social Support and Domestic Assistance.

Position Objective

The role of the Mental Health and Disability Support worker is to be responsible for ensuring the provision of quality, flexible, individualised, client directed support services for people with mental health issues and disabilities and other complex needs living within the community.

Role Specific Tasks

SUPPORT

The Support Worker will be required to

  • Provide outreach support alongside clients with complex needs in their own homes and in the community.
  • Provide practical, basic assistance that supports clients in their individual recovery and independence.
  • Support clients to manage activities of daily living such as shopping, paying bills, domestic/cleaning duties, prompting with personal care and hygiene etc.
  • Facilitate access to a range of community resources e.g. educational, vocational, and recreational.
  • Provide information and support regarding other relevant support services.
  • Advocate on behalf of clients to ensure that their rights are protected.

ADMINISTRATIVE

The Support worker will be required to

  • Maintain client notes, data base records, other information records or systems, use Microsoft outlook for emails and calendar to ensure information is current and accurate.
  • Handle client contributions when necessary,
  • Assist in record keeping for statistical reporting,
  • Manage their own workload and plan routine/roster in collaboration with coordinator
  • As an outreach worker they will be required to make and keep appointments with clients in the community-(including being on time, following up and checking in when needed)
  • The worker will be required to provide appropriate administrative support to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the Mental Health and Disability Service.

COMMUNICATION

The Support worker will be required to

  • Develop and maintain rapport with clients, their family and friends
  • Communicate using strength based and respectful language that values a person’s efforts and skills
  • Communicate with clients without judgement, bias or expressing their personal opinions regarding their lifestyle or choices.
  • Utilise effective listening skills
  • The Support worker will regularly report to the Coordinator about the ongoing progress of each client. They will be required to report any important changes in a client’s behaviour, needs or circumstances, either immediately by telephone or on the appropriate form upon return to the office (depending on the circumstances).

RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

This position works closely and collaboratively with various other services at Communify including the (Personal Helpers and Mentors) PHaMS program, Transport Service, Domestic Service, Family and Individual and Financial Inclusion Service (incl. the Pantry). The role includes-

  • Team responsibilities- be actively involved with relevant meetings, reviews, supervision and other program activities
  • Organisational responsibilities- contribute to the decision making process regarding the organisation and program/service to ensure the positive development and promotion of the organisation
  • Individual responsibilities- identify and participate in training and development opportunities to ensure your personal and professional development

External

This role requires the worker to develop and maintain positive relationships with a range of external stakeholders including clients, community members, family, friends, advocates and other service providers and professionals.

The worker will be required to promote Communify Services amongst clients, carers and families, service providers and the wider community.

Reporting relationships

Reports to: The Co-ordinator of the Mental Health and Disability Service

Direct reports: NIL

Workplace Health & Safety

  • Responsibility for monitoring and improving the safety of the work area by identifying hazards, making recommendations and participating in the resolution of safety issues.
  • Contribute to the achievement of a safe and healthy environment by carrying out the responsibilities outlined in the Communify Qld Health & Safety policies manual.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Qualifications and Experience-

Required

  • Minimum Cert 3 in Disability, Community Services, Individual Support or Aged Care.
  • Minimum 2 years’ experience in the industry, including working with people with Disabilities and/or Mental Health issues.

Desirable

  • Experience working directly with a broad range of people including mental health, disabilities living in the community
  • Experience and knowledge around strength based, recovery oriented support

Role Specific Skills – To be successful in this role…

The role of the Support Worker is outreach, working predominantly alongside people in their homes and in the community. Skills and experience are required in supporting people to manage their activities of daily living, mental and physical wellbeing, and long term recovery goals.

The role is practical, requiring the successful applicant to be physically capable of working closely with people to manage their home environments, complete domestic duties, connect with others and participate in supports and services in the community (including accessing allied health professionals, recreation, employment opportunities etc.).

Administration-The role requires the worker to collaborate with the co-ordinator to organise and manage their own routines and appointments. They are required to be competent at using and maintaining an outlook calendar and emails, and efficiently use IT systems to record information and data for WH&S and statistical reporting.

Other

A current Open QLD driver’s license and Blue Card (or ability to obtain one) is mandatory.

Appointment is contingent on a satisfactory National Police Record Check.

Declaration
Please ensure one signed copy is returned to HR
I agree that I have read and understand the Position Description detailed above.
Print Name
Signature
Date

Z:\Corporate Services\People & Learning\People & Learning\Recruitment\Position Descriptions\Mental Health\PD - Support Worker - MHS.docx Page 1 of 4